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Argüelles JC, Sánchez-Fresneda R, Argüelles A, Solano F. Natural Substances as Valuable Alternative for Improving Conventional Antifungal Chemotherapy: Lights and Shadows. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:334. [PMID: 38786689 PMCID: PMC11122340 DOI: 10.3390/jof10050334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Fungi are eukaryotic organisms with relatively few pathogenic members dangerous for humans, usually acting as opportunistic infections. In the last decades, several life-threatening fungal infections have risen mostly associated with the worldwide extension of chronic diseases and immunosuppression. The available antifungal therapies cannot combat this challenge because the arsenal of compounds is scarce and displays low selective action, significant adverse effects, and increasing resistance. A growing isolation of outbreaks triggered by fungal species formerly considered innocuous is being recorded. From ancient times, natural substances harvested from plants have been applied to folk medicine and some of them recently emerged as promising antifungals. The most used are briefly revised herein. Combinations of chemotherapeutic drugs with natural products to obtain more efficient and gentle treatments are also revised. Nevertheless, considerable research work is still necessary before their clinical use can be generally accepted. Many natural products have a highly complex chemical composition, with the active principles still partially unknown. Here, we survey the field underlying lights and shadows of both groups. More studies involving clinical strains are necessary, but we illustrate this matter by discussing the potential clinical applications of combined carnosic acid plus propolis formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Argüelles
- Área de Microbiología, Facultad Biología, University Murcia, Campus Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (J.C.A.); (R.S.-F.); (A.A.)
| | - Ruth Sánchez-Fresneda
- Área de Microbiología, Facultad Biología, University Murcia, Campus Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (J.C.A.); (R.S.-F.); (A.A.)
| | - Alejandra Argüelles
- Área de Microbiología, Facultad Biología, University Murcia, Campus Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (J.C.A.); (R.S.-F.); (A.A.)
| | - Francisco Solano
- Departamento Bioquímica, Biología Molecular B & Inmunología, Facultad Medicina, University Murcia, Campus El Palmar, 30112 Murcia, Spain
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2
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Xiong J, Wang L, Feng Z, Hang S, Yu J, Feng Y, Lu H, Jiang Y. Halofantrine Hydrochloride Acts as an Antioxidant Ability Inhibitor That Enhances Oxidative Stress Damage to Candida albicans. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:223. [PMID: 38397821 PMCID: PMC10886025 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13020223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans, a prominent opportunistic pathogenic fungus in the human population, possesses the capacity to induce life-threatening invasive candidiasis in individuals with compromised immune systems despite the existence of antifungal medications. When faced with macrophages or neutrophils, C. albicans demonstrates its capability to endure oxidative stress through the utilization of antioxidant enzymes. Therefore, the enhancement of oxidative stress in innate immune cells against C. albicans presents a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of invasive candidiasis. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of a library of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We discovered that halofantrine hydrochloride (HAL) can augment the antifungal properties of oxidative damage agents (plumbagin, menadione, and H2O2) by suppressing the response of C. albicans to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, our investigation revealed that the inhibitory mechanism of HAL on the oxidative response is dependent on Cap1. In addition, the antifungal activity of HAL has been observed in the Galleria mellonella infection model. These findings provide evidence that targeting the oxidative stress response of C. albicans and augmenting the fungicidal capacity of oxidative damage agents hold promise as effective antifungal strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Hui Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Yuanying Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
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Muñoz-Megías ML, Sánchez-Fresneda R, Solano F, Maicas S, Martínez-Esparza M, Argüelles JC. The antifungal effect induced by itraconazole in Candida parapsilosis largely depends on the oxidative stress generated at the mitochondria. Curr Genet 2023; 69:165-173. [PMID: 37119267 PMCID: PMC10163099 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-023-01269-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
In Candida parapsilosis, homozygous disruption of the two genes encoding trehalase activity increased the susceptibility to Itraconazole compared with the isogenic parental strain. The fungicidal effect of this azole can largely be counteracted by preincubating growing cells with rotenone and the protonophore 2,4-Dinitrophenol. In turn, measurement of endogenous reactive oxygen species formation by flow cytometry confirmed that Itraconazole clearly induced an internal oxidative stress, which can be significantly abolished in rotenone-exposed cells. Analysis of the antioxidant enzymatic activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase pointed to a moderate decrease of catalase in trehalase-deficient mutant cells compared to the wild type, with an additional increase upon addition of rotenone. These enzymatic changes were imperceptible in the case of superoxide dismutase. Alternative assays with Voriconazole led to a similar profile in the results regarding cell growth and antioxidant activities. Collectively, our data suggest that the antifungal action of Itraconazole on C. parapsilosis is dependent on a functional mitochondrial activity. They also suggest that the central metabolic pathways in pathogenic fungi should be considered as preferential antifungal targets in new research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mª Luz Muñoz-Megías
- Facultad de Biología, Área de Microbiología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Ruth Sánchez-Fresneda
- Facultad de Biología, Área de Microbiología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Francisco Solano
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular B & Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Campus de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad de Murcia, 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - Sergi Maicas
- Departamento de Microbiología & Ecología, Facultad de Biología, Universitat de València, Burjassot, 46100, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Martínez-Esparza
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular B & Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Campus de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad de Murcia, 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan-Carlos Argüelles
- Facultad de Biología, Área de Microbiología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
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Argüelles A, Sánchez-Fresneda R, Guirao-Abad JP, Lozano JA, Solano F, Argüelles JC. Insight into the Antifungal Effects of Propolis and Carnosic Acid—Extension to the Pathogenic Yeast Candida glabrata: New Propolis Fractionation and Potential Synergistic Applications. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9040442. [PMID: 37108897 PMCID: PMC10143237 DOI: 10.3390/jof9040442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungi have traditionally been considered opportunistic pathogens in primary infections caused by virulent bacteria, protozoan, or viruses. Consequently, antimycotic chemotherapy is clearly less developed in comparison to its bacterial counterpart. Currently, the three main families of antifungals (polyenes, echinocandins, and azoles) are not sufficient to control the enormous increase in life-threatening fungal infections recorded in recent decades. Natural substances harvested from plants have traditionally been utilized as a successful alternative. After a wide screening of natural agents, we have recently obtained promising results with distinct formulations of carnosic acid and propolis on the prevalent fungal pathogens Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. Here, we extended their use to the treatment against the emerging pathogenic yeast Candida glabrata, which displayed lower susceptibility in comparison to the fungi mentioned above. Taking into account the moderate antifungal activity of both natural agents, the antifungal value of these combinations has been improved through the obtention of the hydroethanolic fractions of propolis. In addition, we have demonstrated the potential clinical application of new therapeutical designs based on sequential pre-treatments with carnosic/propolis mixtures, followed by exposure to amphotericin B. This approach increased the toxic effect induced by this polyene.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruth Sánchez-Fresneda
- Vitalgaia España S.L., 30005 Murcia, Spain
- Área de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30071 Murcia, Spain
| | - José P. Guirao-Abad
- Vitalgaia España S.L., 30005 Murcia, Spain
- Área de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30071 Murcia, Spain
| | - José Antonio Lozano
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular B e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Murcia, 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Francisco Solano
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular B e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Murcia, 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan-Carlos Argüelles
- Área de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30071 Murcia, Spain
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Lack of Functional Trehalase Activity in Candida parapsilosis Increases Susceptibility to Itraconazole. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8040371. [PMID: 35448602 PMCID: PMC9028276 DOI: 10.3390/jof8040371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Central metabolic pathways may play a major role in the virulence of pathogenic fungi. Here, we have investigated the susceptibility of a Candida parapsilosis mutant deficient in trehalase activity (atc1Δ/ntc1Δ strain) to the azolic compounds fluconazole and itraconazole. A time-course exposure to itraconazole but not fluconazole induced a significant degree of cell killing in mutant cells compared to the parental strain. Flow cytometry determinations indicated that itraconazole was able to induce a marked production of endogenous ROS together with a simultaneous increase in membrane potential, these effects being irrelevant after fluconazole addition. Furthermore, only itraconazole induced a significant synthesis of endogenous trehalose. The recorded impaired capacity of mutant cells to produce structured biofilms was further increased in the presence of both azoles, with itraconazole being more effective than fluconazole. Our results in the opportunistic pathogen yeast C. parapsilosis reinforce the study of trehalose metabolism as an attractive therapeutic target and allow extending the hypothesis that the generation of internal oxidative stress may be a component of the antifungal action exerted by the compounds currently available in medical practice.
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Iyer KR, Robbins N, Cowen LE. The role of Candida albicans stress response pathways in antifungal tolerance and resistance. iScience 2022; 25:103953. [PMID: 35281744 PMCID: PMC8905312 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human fungal pathogens are the causative agents of devastating diseases across the globe, and the increasing prevalence of drug resistance threatens to undermine the already limited treatment options. One prominent pathogen is the opportunistic fungus Candida albicans, which can cause both superficial and serious systemic infections in immunocompromised individuals. C. albicans antifungal drug resistance and antifungal tolerance are supported by diverse and expansive cellular stress response pathways. Some of the major players are the Ca2+-calmodulin-activated phosphatase calcineurin, the protein kinase C cell wall integrity pathway, and the molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90. Beyond these core signal transducers, several other enzymes and transcription factors have been implicated in both tolerance and resistance. Here, we highlight some of the major stress response pathways, key advances in identifying chemical matter to inhibit these pathways, and implications for C. albicans persistence in the host. Candida albicans can cause superficial and serious systemic infections in humans Stress response pathways regulate C. albicans antifungal resistance and tolerance Stress response regulators include calcineurin, Pkc1, Hsp90, and many others Stress response inhibitors could reduce the likelihood of fungi persisting in humans
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Affiliation(s)
- Kali R. Iyer
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Room 1638, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Room 1638, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Leah E. Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Room 1638, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Corresponding author
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Yaakoub H, Sanchez NS, Ongay-Larios L, Courdavault V, Calenda A, Bouchara JP, Coria R, Papon N. The high osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway in fungi †. Crit Rev Microbiol 2021; 48:657-695. [PMID: 34893006 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2021.2011834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
While fungi are widely occupying nature, many species are responsible for devastating mycosis in humans. Such niche diversity explains how quick fungal adaptation is necessary to endow the capacity of withstanding fluctuating environments and to cope with host-imposed conditions. Among all the molecular mechanisms evolved by fungi, the most studied one is the activation of the phosphorelay signalling pathways, of which the high osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway constitutes one of the key molecular apparatus underpinning fungal adaptation and virulence. In this review, we summarize the seminal knowledge of the HOG pathway with its more recent developments. We specifically described the HOG-mediated stress adaptation, with a particular focus on osmotic and oxidative stress, and point out some lags in our understanding of its involvement in the virulence of pathogenic species including, the medically important fungi Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus, compared to the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Finally, we also highlighted some possible applications of the HOG pathway modifications to improve the fungal-based production of natural products in the industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajar Yaakoub
- Univ Angers, Univ Brest, GEIHP, SFR ICAT, Angers, France
| | - Norma Silvia Sanchez
- Departamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura Ongay-Larios
- Unidad de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Vincent Courdavault
- EA2106 "Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales", Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | | | | | - Roberto Coria
- Departamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Nicolas Papon
- Univ Angers, Univ Brest, GEIHP, SFR ICAT, Angers, France
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8
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Inhibitory effect of berberine hydrochloride against Candida albicans and the role of the HOG-MAPK pathway. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2021; 74:807-816. [PMID: 34408288 DOI: 10.1038/s41429-021-00463-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Berberine hydrochloride (BH), an active component of Coptis chinensis and other plant taxa, has broad antimicrobial activity and may be useful for the treatment of Candida infections. In this study, the mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effect of BH against Candida albicans were evaluated, with a focus on the high-osmolarity glycerol mitogen-activated protein kinase (HOG-MAPK) pathway, which regulates multiple physiological functions. BH (256 and 64 μg ml-1) significantly increased intracellular glycerol and ROS levels in C. albicans, inhibited germ tube and hyphal formation, and increased chitin and β-1,3-glucan exposure on the cell wall. The inhibitory effect of BH was positively correlated with its concentration, and the inhibitory effect of 256 μg ml-1 BH was greater than that of 4 μg ml-1 fluconazole (FLC). Furthermore, RT-PCR analysis showed that 256 and 64 μg ml-1 BH altered the HOG-MAPK pathway in C. albicans. In particular, the upregulation of the core genes, SLN1, SSK2, HOG1, and PBS2 may affect the expression of key downstream factors related to glycerol synthesis and osmotic pressure (GPD1), ROS accumulation (ATP11 and SOD2), germ tube and hyphal formation (HWP1), and cell wall integrity (CHS3 and GSC1). BH affects multiple biological processes in C. albicans; thus, it can be an effective alternative to conventional azole antifungal agents.
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Yan ZY, Zhao MR, Huang CY, Zhang LJ, Zhang JX. Trehalose alleviates high-temperature stress in Pleurotus ostreatus by affecting central carbon metabolism. Microb Cell Fact 2021; 20:82. [PMID: 33827585 PMCID: PMC8028756 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-021-01572-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trehalose, an intracellular protective agent reported to mediate defense against many stresses, can alleviate high-temperature-induced damage in Pleurotus ostreatus. In this study, the mechanism by which trehalose relieves heat stress was explored by the addition of exogenous trehalose and the use of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase 1 (tps1) overexpression transformants. Results The results suggested that treatment with exogenous trehalose or overexpression of tps1 alleviated the accumulation of lactic acid under heat stress and downregulated the expression of the phosphofructokinase (pfk) and pyruvate kinase (pk) genes, suggesting an ameliorative effect of trehalose on the enhanced glycolysis in P. ostreatus under heat stress. However, the upregulation of hexokinase (hk) gene expression by trehalose indicated the involvement of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) in heat stress resistance. Moreover, treatment with exogenous trehalose or overexpression of tps1 increased the gene expression level and enzymatic activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (g6pdh) and increased the production of both the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and glutathione (GSH), confirming the effect of trehalose on alleviating oxidative damage by enhancing PPP in P. ostreatus under heat stress. Furthermore, treatment with exogenous trehalose or overexpression of tps1 ameliorated the decrease in the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) caused by heat stress, suggesting a relationship between trehalose and mitochondrial function under heat stress. Conclusions Trehalose alleviates high-temperature stress in P. ostreatus by inhibiting glycolysis and stimulating PPP activity. This study may provide further insights into the heat stress defense mechanism of trehalose in edible fungi from the perspective of intracellular metabolism. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12934-021-01572-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Yu Yan
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.,Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Meng-Ran Zhao
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.,Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Chen-Yang Huang
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.,Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Li-Jiao Zhang
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.,Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jin-Xia Zhang
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China. .,Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, China.
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10
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Huang YM, Tao XH, Xu DF, Yu Y, Teng Y, Xie WQ, Fan YB. HOG1 has an essential role in the stress response, virulence and pathogenicity of Cryptococcus gattii. Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:476. [PMID: 33767771 PMCID: PMC7976431 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.9907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii (C. gattii) is a lethal pathogen that causes the majority of cryptococcosis cases in previously healthy individuals. This pathogen poses an increasing threat to global public health, but the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis have remained to be fully elucidated. In the present study, the role of high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG)1 in the stress reaction and virulence control of C. gattii was characterized by deleting the HOG1 gene using the clinical isolate strain CZ2012, and finally, the virulence and pathogenic traits of the deletion strain were defined. Deletion of the HOG1 gene resulted in notable growth defects under stress conditions (high salt and antifungal drugs), but different traits were observed under oxidative stress conditions (hydrogen peroxide). Similarly, the C. gattii hog1Δ strains (deletion of HOG1) also displayed decreased capsule production and melanin synthesis. Furthermore, mice infected with the hog1Δ strain had longer survival times than those infected with the wild-type strain and the reconstituted strain. The hog1Δ strain recovered from infected organs exhibited significant growth defects in terms of decreased colony count and size. The present results suggested that HOG1 has a significant role in the virulence of C. gattii and these results may help to elucidate the pathogenesis of C. gattii.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Ming Huang
- Department of Dermatology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Hua Tao
- Department of Dermatology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Dan-Feng Xu
- Department of Dermatology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Yong Yu
- Department of Dermatology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Yan Teng
- Department of Dermatology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Wen-Qing Xie
- Department of Orthopedics, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Bin Fan
- Department of Dermatology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
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11
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Alonso-Monge R, Guirao-Abad JP, Sánchez-Fresneda R, Pla J, Yagüe G, Argüelles JC. The Fungicidal Action of Micafungin is Independent on Both Oxidative Stress Generation and HOG Pathway Signaling in Candida albicans. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8121867. [PMID: 33256159 PMCID: PMC7768384 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8121867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In fungi, the Mitogen-Activated Protein kinase (MAPK) pathways sense a wide variety of environmental stimuli, leading to cell adaptation and survival. The HOG pathway plays an essential role in the pathobiology of Candida albicans, including the colonization of the gastrointestinal tract in a mouse model, virulence, and response to stress. Here, we examined the role of Hog1 in the C. albicans response to the clinically relevant antifungal Micafungin (MF), whose minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was identical in the parental strain (RM100) and in the isogenic homozygous mutant hog1 (0.016 mg/L). The cell viability was impaired without significant differences between the parental strain, the isogenic hog1 mutant, and the Hog1+ reintegrant. This phenotype was quite similar in a collection of hog1 mutants constructed in a different C. albicans background. MF-treated cells failed to induce a relevant increase of both reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and activation of the mitochondrial membrane potential in parental and hog1 cells. MF was also unable to trigger any significant activation of the genes coding for the antioxidant activities catalase (CAT1) and superoxide dismutase (SOD2), as well as on the corresponding enzymatic activities, whereas a clear induction was observed in the presence of Amphotericin B (AMB), introduced as a positive control of Hog1 signaling. Furthermore, Hog1 was not phosphorylated by the addition of MF, but, notably, this echinocandin caused Mkc1 phosphorylation. Our results strongly suggest that the toxic effect of MF on C. albicans cells is not mediated by the Hog1 MAPK and is independent of the generation of an internal oxidative stress in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Alonso-Monge
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología-IRYCIS, Unidad de Microbiología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.P.G.-A.); (J.P.)
- Correspondence: (R.A.-M.); (J.C.A.); Tel.: +34-91-3941888 (R.A.-M.); +34-868-887131 (J.C.A.); Fax: +34-91-3941745 (R.A.-M.); Phone: Fax: +34-868-993963 (J.C.A.)
| | - José P. Guirao-Abad
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología-IRYCIS, Unidad de Microbiología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.P.G.-A.); (J.P.)
- Área de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, E-30071 Murcia, Spain;
| | - Ruth Sánchez-Fresneda
- Área de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, E-30071 Murcia, Spain;
| | - Jesús Pla
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología-IRYCIS, Unidad de Microbiología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.P.G.-A.); (J.P.)
| | - Genoveva Yagüe
- Servicio de Microbiología Clínica, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB, 30120 Murcia, Spain;
| | - Juan Carlos Argüelles
- Área de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, E-30071 Murcia, Spain;
- Correspondence: (R.A.-M.); (J.C.A.); Tel.: +34-91-3941888 (R.A.-M.); +34-868-887131 (J.C.A.); Fax: +34-91-3941745 (R.A.-M.); Phone: Fax: +34-868-993963 (J.C.A.)
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12
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Correia I, Wilson D, Hube B, Pla J. Characterization of a Candida albicans Mutant Defective in All MAPKs Highlights the Major Role of Hog1 in the MAPK Signaling Network. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6040230. [PMID: 33080787 PMCID: PMC7711971 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of Candida albicans as a pathogen relies on its ability to adapt and proliferate in different environmental niches. Pathways regulated by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are involved in sensing environmental conditions and developing an accurate adaptive response. Given the frequent cooperative roles of these routes in cellular functions, we have generated mutants defective in all combinations of the four described MAPKs in C. albicans and characterized its phenotype regarding sensitiveness to specific drugs, morphogenesis and interaction with host immune cells. We demonstrate that all MAPKs are dispensable in this yeast as a mutant defective in Cek1, Cek2, Mkc1 and Hog1 is viable although highly sensitive to oxidative and osmotic stress, displaying a specific pattern of sensitivity to antifungals. By comparing its phenotype with single, double and triple combinations of MAPK-deletion mutants we were able to unveil a Cek1-independent mechanism for Hog1 resistance to Congo red, and confirm the predominant effect of Hog1 on oxidative and osmotic adaptation. The quadruple mutant produces filaments under non-inducing conditions, but is unable to develop chlamydospores. Furthermore, cek1 cek2 mkc1 hog1 cells switch to the opaque state at high frequency, which is blocked by the ectopic expression of HOG1 suggesting a role of this kinase for phenotypic switching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Correia
- iBiMED-Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Agra do Crasto, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- Correspondence: (I.C.); (J.P.); Tel.: +351-234-370-213 (I.C.); +34-913-941-617 (J.P.)
| | - Duncan Wilson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK;
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans-Knoell-Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11A, 07745 Jena, Germany;
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Neugasse 25, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Jesús Pla
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología-IRYCIS, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (I.C.); (J.P.); Tel.: +351-234-370-213 (I.C.); +34-913-941-617 (J.P.)
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Shivarathri R, Jenull S, Stoiber A, Chauhan M, Mazumdar R, Singh A, Nogueira F, Kuchler K, Chowdhary A, Chauhan N. The Two-Component Response Regulator Ssk1 and the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Hog1 Control Antifungal Drug Resistance and Cell Wall Architecture of Candida auris. mSphere 2020; 5:e00973-20. [PMID: 33055262 PMCID: PMC7565899 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00973-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant human fungal pathogen refractory to treatment by several classes of antifungal drugs. Unlike other Candida species, C. auris can adhere to human skin for prolonged periods of time, allowing for efficient skin-to-skin transmission in the hospital environments. However, molecular mechanisms underlying pronounced multidrug resistance and adhesion traits are poorly understood. Two-component signal transduction and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling are important regulators of adherence, antifungal drug resistance, and virulence. Here, we report that genetic removal of SSK1 encoding a response regulator and the mitogen-associated protein kinase HOG1 restores the susceptibility to both amphotericin B (AMB) and caspofungin (CAS) in C. auris clinical strains. The loss of SSK1 and HOG1 alters membrane lipid permeability, cell wall mannan content, and hyperresistance to cell wall-perturbing agents. Interestingly, our data reveal variable functions of SSK1 and HOG1 in different C. auris clinical isolates, suggesting a pronounced genetic plasticity affecting cell wall function, stress adaptation, and multidrug resistance. Taken together, our data suggest that targeting two-component signal transduction systems could be suitable for restoring C. auris susceptibility to antifungal drugs.IMPORTANCECandida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant (MDR) fungal pathogen that presents a serious global threat to human health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have classified C. auris as an urgent threat to public health for the next decade due to its major clinical and economic impact and the lack of effective antifungal drugs and because of future projections concerning new C. auris infections. Importantly, the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS) has highlighted the need for more robust and efficacious global surveillance schemes enabling the identification and monitoring of antifungal resistance in Candida infections. Despite the clinical relevance of C. auris infections, our overall understanding of its pathophysiology and virulence, its response to human immune surveillance, and the molecular basis of multiple antifungal resistance remains in its infancy. Here, we show a marked phenotypic plasticity of C. auris clinical isolates. Further, we demonstrate critical roles of stress response mechanisms in regulating multidrug resistance and show that cell wall architecture and composition are key elements that determine antifungal drug susceptibilities. Our data promise new therapeutic options to treat drug-refractory C. auris infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raju Shivarathri
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Sabrina Jenull
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Max Perutz Labs Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anton Stoiber
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Max Perutz Labs Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Manju Chauhan
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Rounik Mazumdar
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Max Perutz Labs Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ashutosh Singh
- Department of Medical Mycology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Filomena Nogueira
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Max Perutz Labs Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- CCRI-St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
- Labdia-Labordiagnostik GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karl Kuchler
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Max Perutz Labs Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anuradha Chowdhary
- Department of Medical Mycology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Neeraj Chauhan
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA
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